There were Black Friday sales in some shops in Abingdon today, particularly the clothes shops. The town felt busier than usual at Friday lunchtime. However more people probably took part in the online sales. That will mean more trucks bringing goods to people in the days ahead.

Saturday sees the Christmas Extravaganza, a real chance to buy locally. The parade is at 12:00. Lights get switched on at 5:30. There is lots more going on, including a Fairtrade and Craft Fair at St Ethlewolds.

It was colder today. There was even a little snow early on. The traffic was moving very slow this morning through town. One lady told me it took an hour to get from Caldecott Road to Trinity Fair.

Pandora, the new jewelery shop, has opened in time for Christmas.

Contractors have been busy putting up Christmas Lights, and decorating the tree, in time for next weekend’s Christmas extravaganza.

The contractors are cutting it much finer than previous years.

Paddington Bear will be coming for the Christmas Extravaganza, next Saturday, and there are pictures of his marmalade sandwiches in shop windows. (Find as many as you can before 28th November to get the chance to join Paddington and switch on the lights. Entry form from the Chamber of Commerce Extravaganza page .)

Perusing the poster boards at Abingdon Library I was struck by the number of Christmas fund raising events, at the same time, in churches in Abingdon.

Not only is there Christmas Fair at Trinity …

but there is also a Christmas Fayre at Abingdon Baptist Church …

a Christmas Market at St Helen’s Church …

and a Christmas Bazaar at Christchurch.

During the Guildhall Closure, events and activities that have their usual home at the Guildhall, are dispersed, and so the Charity Christmas Cards can this year be found at St Nicolas Church.

St Nicolas have recently removed some of their pews to make a more flexible community space at the back. St Helen’s Church did something similar, but on a much bigger scale, back in 2004.

Trinity Church removed their pews back in the 1970s so that the church space can be used flexibly by church and community groups. Adfas lectures have moved to Trinity during the Guildhall Closure, and there is a free taster lecture this week.

Tickets for the Over 70s (Free) Christmas Party are now available and, instead of the Guildhall, the party this year is at Preston Road Commnity Centre.